Todd Allen Wellemeyer (born August 30, 1978) is an American former right-handed

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

. He played in the Major Leagues across eight years, for five teams, working as both a starting and relief pitcher.

Professional career

Chicago Cubs (2003–2005)

While attending

Bellarmine University Bellarmine University ( ; BU) is a private university, private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky, UNited States. It opened on October 3, 1950, as Bellarmine College, established by Archbishop John A. Floersh of the Archdiocese of Louis ...

, he was drafted by the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

and became the first Chicago Cub to earn a save in his Major League debut, earning it by

striking out ''Striking Out'' is an Television in the Republic of Ireland, Irish television legal drama television series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017, based on ''The Good Wife'' by Robert King (writer), Robert and Michelle King. Prod ...

three batters in order against

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

in the 17th inning. Wellemeyer also picked up the

win Win or WIN most likely refers to: * A victory Win, Winning, WIN or Winner may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * '' Win!'', a 2016 American film Literature * ''Win'' (Coben novel), 2021 * WIN (pacifist magazine) * WIN (wrestling ma ...

in the longest scoreless game ever played in

Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a ballpark on the North Side, Chicago, North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charl ...

history. He struck out 4 in only 2 innings in a 1-0 marathon 16-inning game.

Sammy Sosa Samuel Peralta Sosa (; born November 12, 1968) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. After playing for the Texas Rangers and ...

hit a game-winning

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center field A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball and softball fielding position between left field and right field. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the cen ...

causing

Preston Wilson Preston James Richard Wilson (born July 19, 1974) is an American former professional baseball center fielder and currently the manager of the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League. He played all or parts of ten seasons in Major League Baseball ...

to crash into the wall and lose the ball to win the game in the 16th inning.

Florida Marlins (2006)

Wellemeyer was traded in the offseason and appeared in 18 games before being traded to the

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...

Kansas City Royals (2006–2007)

Wellemeyer appeared in 28 games and had a 3.63 ERA for the Royals. In 2007, through 10 games Wellemeyer had a 10.34 ERA and was traded to the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

St. Louis Cardinals (2007–2009)

After being traded by the Royals, Wellemeyer had a 3–2 record with a 3.11 ERA in 20 games (11 starts). His best season came in 2008 with the

, when he went 13–9 with a team best (among qualified starters) 3.71 ERA. During the 2008 season he also won

Pitcher of the Month In Major League Baseball (MLB), the Pitcher of the Month Award is given monthly during the regular season to two outstanding pitchers, one each in the National League (NL) and American League (AL). The NL began awarding the honor in , and the ...

honors for May, when he went 4–0 with a 2.19 ERA. He finished 2008 ranked 18th in the NL in Wins, and 16th in the NL in ERA (3.71). In 2009, Wellemeyer had his worst full season in the Majors, posting an ERA over 5.50 and had a 7–10 record. Wellemeyer was born on the same day as fellow pitcher

Cliff Lee Clifton Phifer Lee (born August 30, 1978) is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher who played for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Between 2002 and 2014 he played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, S ...

. He also shares a birthday with former

teammate

Adam Wainwright Adam Parrish Wainwright (born August 30, 1981), nicknamed "Waino" and "Uncle Charlie", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Atlanta ...

San Francisco Giants (2010)

On February 10, 2010, Wellemeyer signed a minor league contract with the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

, He had his contract selected to the major league roster on April 4, he was named as the fifth starter. Until his injury on June 10, 2010, Wellemeyer had nine starts posting a 3–5 record with an ERA of 5.52. The injury opened the door for Madison Bumgarner. Wellemeyer pitched his final game with the Giants on August 8 against the Braves. He was designated for assignment on August 9. He was released on August 17.

Chicago Cubs

On January 25, 2011, Wellemeyer signed a non-guaranteed one-year contract to return to the

. Wellemeyer retired on May 7, 2011.

Post Retirement

Since retirement Wellemeyer has opened a number of restaurants including the El Taco Luchador chain of taco restaurants. Taco Luchador is a privately held company.

References

External links

: {{DEFAULTSORT:Wellemeyer, Todd 1978 births Living people Bellarmine Knights baseball players Chicago Cubs players Florida Marlins players Kansas City Royals players San Francisco Giants players St. Louis Cardinals players Major League Baseball pitchers Baseball players from Louisville, Kentucky Eugene Emeralds players Lansing Lugnuts players Daytona Cubs players West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players Iowa Cubs players Springfield Cardinals players Eastern High School (Louisville, Kentucky) alumni